Storm Surge Inundation in

Groton, Connecticut

Michael Riveglia

of Groton’s 28 census block groups would be affected by the storm surge of a

category 4 hurricane with approximately

25,318

people directly or indirectly affected.

Western Groton contains many

densely populated blocks, some of

which also have a high total

population, relative to other blocks

touched by storm surge zones.

Some block groups in central and

northeast Groton have a large

population spread over a large area,

while eastern Groton contains some

blocks of moderately high

population density with lower total

population estimates.

How Many People are at Risk?

Data and Methodology for Determining the Population at Risk

National Guard

Readiness Center

Groton-New

London Airport

Flooding may limit

access to the UConn

Avery Point Campus.

The Groton Long Point area has a population of

about 500 people, with the greatest number of

residents occupying their homes during summer.

The western portion of the Poquonock

Bridge village contains a cluster of

households which may flood during the

event of category 3-4 hurricane.

Where is the Risk?

The Mystic and Thames rivers lead

to flooding in the western and eastern

sides of Groton respectively.

However, southern Groton is affected

the most.

Given the proximity of most rail

lines to bodies of water, some

segments of track may be flooded

from as mild as a category 1

hurricane.

Additionally, motorists may have

difficulty traversing the portions of

major roadways which cross the

Thames and Mystic rivers.

The Pequot Health Center could be an

aid station due to its central location,

close proximity to major roadways, and

stockpile of medical supplies.

The Ella T Grasso High School, Groton

Middle school, and Robert E Fitch

Senior High School may also work due

to their close proximity to US Highway

1 and affected zones.

For residents of western Groton, the

Thames River Magnet School may

work as an aid station due to its close

proximity to the major category 2 surge

zone next to it.

Where Should Aid Stations be Placed?

Data and Methodology for Determining Aid Stations

Sources

Basemap: Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, FEMA

Storm Surge Inundation: CT DEEP https://ct-deep-gis-open-data-website-

ctdeep.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/CTDEEP::ct-hurricane-surge-inundation/explore, Published 4/1/19, Last

updated 3/25/21

Minor roads, train routes, highways (2022): US Census TIGER shapefiles (https://www.census.gov/cgi-

bin/geo/shapefiles/index.php)

Census Block Groups (2021): https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-

data.2021.html

CT Town Boundaries: https://ct-deep-gis-open-data-website-ctdeep.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/CTDEEP::ct-

vicinity-town-polygon/explore, Published and last updated 10/30/19

Population Data: 2017-2020 5-year American Community Survey